The Sowing: The Seeds Trilogy, Volume 1

Valerian Orlean wants answers: to why the girl he was in love with disappeared three years ago, why she joined the Resistance - a covert organization sworn to destroy everything he believes in. When he is appointed to lead a government program whose mission is to hunt and destroy the Resistance, he may finally find his answers - and Remy.

The Reaping: The Seeds Trilogy, Book 2

Remy Alexander wants justice. After narrowly escaping death at the hands of the Sector only to watch her world burn around her, she will defy everyone to find her revenge. Valerian Orlean wants truth. After learning what evils the Sector is truly capable of, he must confront his past in order to create a better future. In a world where deadly secrets lurk around every corner and the food you eat can enlighten or enslave you, Remy and Vale must walk the line between hope and hate, love and loss, violence and vengeance, in order to unite - or destroy - their world.

NEED

"No one gets something for nothing. We all should know better." Teenagers at Wisconsin's Nottawa High School are drawn deeper into a social networking site that promises to grant their every need...regardless of the consequences. Soon the site turns sinister, with simple pranks escalating to malicious crimes. The body count rises.

Recon

Eli knows corruption runs deep within the compound. It's a reality he's forced to confront every year on Bid Day. But when your job is to go out into the radiation-soaked Fringe so that others can live in peace, you don't ask too many questions. For Harper, the bid system works just fine. She's the best developer in her year, and she's confident she'll find a place among the wealthy, respected Systems workers. But when an upset in the bidding changes the course of Harper's future, she'll be forced to rely on an unlikely ally.

Amazon Customer says:"Great way to catch up before the final installment"

Exposure

When Harper discovered the truth about Bid Day, she inadvertently painted a target on her back. Now Constance, the infamous espionage unit, wants her and her friends kept quiet at all costs. She and Eli are being sent out into the Fringe, where they'll face damaging radiation and violent gangs of survivors and be forced to fulfill Recon's sinister duty. After her first deployment goes bad, Harper is racked with guilt and paralyzed by fear. Out there it's kill or be killed, but the real danger is inside the compound.

Outbreak

When Harper and Celdon escaped to compound 119, they thought they had a chance to start a new life away from Constance. What they found instead was a desolate wasteland ravaged by death. Now they have no choice but to return to their home compound, where things have never been worse. The drifters are plotting a large-scale attack out on the Fringe, and Jayden is speeding up deployments to secure the perimeter. She's ordered Eli to kill the drifters' leaders - including his estranged older brother.

Lockdown

When two missing Recon operatives returned to the compound, speculations ran wild about where they had been. Harper is certain they're infected with a deadly virus, but she's locked away in the cages, facing 10 to 20 years behind bars. Blaze thinks Harper has a shot at being released, but nobody can save Eli from Constance. Jayden is torturing him for information on his brother's whereabouts, and as Constance's newest lackey, Celdon is caught in the middle.

The Gifting: The Gifting Series Volume 1

In a world where nothing supernatural exists, Tess Eckhart is positive she's going crazy. After her complete freak-out at a high school party, her family is too. So much that they pack their bags and move across the country, next to a nationally-renowned facility for the mentally ill. Tess is determined to fit in at her new school, despite the whispers and stares. But when it comes to Luka Williams, a reluctantly popular boy in her class, she's unused to a stare that intense.

The Gathering: The Gifting Series, Book 3

Luka isn't dead. He's not beyond saving. Tess knows because she saw him with her own eyes. After what she saw, she's sure of one thing: If they don't rescue him soon, Luka won't be Luka anymore. If only she could convince the other members of the hub. They're not sure Tess saw what she claims she saw. And they're preoccupied by the fact that their kind is being systematically eradicated. Answers lie in an ancient prophecy, one that revolves around a 17-year-old girl who never asked for any of this.

Born: Born Trilogy Series # 1

Trust no one. Pull the trigger. Hide. Run. Stay away from the other survivors. Stay away from the Infected. Emma has obeyed her father's rules since she can remember running from the car accident that claimed his life. But one night that all changes. The knock at her cabin door and the voice of the girl on the other side don't make Emma help the girl. No - it's the fact that the girl, Anna, is willing to die to save her wounded brother that changes everything in Emma's world.

Legend

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect.

First Year: The Black Mage, Book 1

For 15-year-old Ryiah the choice has always been easy. Become a warrior and leave the boring confines of her lowborn life behind. Set to enroll in the School of Knighthood on the eve of her next birthday, plans suddenly shift when her twin brother discovers powers. Hoping that hers will soon follow, she enrolls with Alex at the Academy instead - the realm's most notorious war school for those with magic.

The Young Elites

To some, the Elites are heroes, here to save innocents in desperate situations. But to the Inquisition Axis, the white-robed soldiers of Kenettra, they are monsters with demonic powers who must be brought to justice. As Adelina learns more about this perilous world where politics and magic clash, she soon realizes that her own powers may be in danger of bringing on an era of panic such as the world has never seen.

Numbers Game: Numbers Game Saga Book 1

Treena is nervous for Rating Day. A single number will brand her forever - a valuable citizen, or a pathetic waste of space. Her top-Rated boyfriend is confident their scores will coincide so they can attend the academy together. But when the big day arrives, her true number shocks everyone.

Matched: Book 1

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

Enclave

New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20s. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings.

The Gender Game

A toxic river divides nineteen-year-old Violet Bates's world by gender. Women rule the East. Men rule the West. Welcome to the lands of Matrus and Patrus. Ever since the disappearance of her beloved younger brother, Violet's life has been consumed by an anger she struggles to control. Already a prisoner to her own nation, now she has been sentenced to death for her crimes. But one decision could save her life. To enter the kingdom of Patrus, where men rule and women submit. Everything about the patriarchy is dangerous for a rebellious girl like Violet.

Numbers Ignite: Numbers Game Saga, Book 2

Treena and Vance think they've escaped the numbers game forever. They're wrong. After Treena's disastrous attempt to unite the nation, she has the deaths of hundreds haunting her dreams. Vance is a prisoner. Being rejected by the girl he loves and put on trial for betraying his clan are bad enough, but now he's been framed for a crime he never committed. Treena and Vance are still very much in the game, and this time it will take everything they have to save those they love.

Perfected

As soon as the government passed legislation allowing humans to be genetically engineered and sold as pets, the rich and powerful rushed to own beautiful girls like Ella. Trained from birth to be graceful, demure, and perfect, these "family companions" enter their masters' homes prepared to live lives of idle luxury.

Uglies: Uglies, Book 1

Tally lives in a world where your 16th birthday brings aesthetic perfection: an operation that erases all your flaws, transforming you from an "Ugly" into a "Pretty". She is on the eve of this important event and cannot wait for her life to change. As well as guaranteeing supermodel looks, life as a Pretty seems to revolve around having a good time. But then she meets Shay, who is also 15 - but with a very different outlook on life.

Empire of Storms

The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those don't. As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

Pawn

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country. If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked - surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

The Siren

Kahlen is a Siren, bound to serve the Ocean by luring humans to watery graves with her voice, which is deadly to any human who hears it. Akinli is human - a kind, handsome boy who's everything Kahlen ever dreamed of. Falling in love puts them both in danger...but Kahlen can't bear to stay away. Will she risk everything to follow her heart?

Under the Never Sky

Since she’d been on the outside, she’d survived an Aether storm, she’d had a knife held to her throat, and she’d seen men murdered. This was worse. Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don’t get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She’s been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He’s wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.

Publisher's Summary

The story in which a 16-year-old is chosen by her government to undergo The Testing, which decides if she gets to go to The University. The University is for the country’s best and brightest teens and puts the rebuilding and future leadership of the United Commowealth in their hands. During The Testing, extreme psychological and physical trials pit them against one another to determine which teens have what it takes to become a leader.

It had moments similar to The Hunger Games and Divergent. Only cause they are put through trials and it's a twisted government.

Any additional comments?

Holy flippin’ crap! This book was downright craziness! I’m having the shakes right now thinking about everything that happened in this book, and I’m having severe separation anxiety because I want Independent Study (book 2) now! If I were put in “The Testing,” I don’t think I could control my temper one bit; I think I’d probably hemorrhage right then and there and start acting like a raving lunatic. In fact, while reading The Testing, in one moment I’d feel like I wanted to jump right through the pages and go on a frenzied rampage, and then in the next moment I’d feel the complete opposite and I wanted to curl up in a ball and have an internal freak out.

In the very beginning of the book I wasn’t fully invested in the story, and it took me a few tries to get drawn into the story, as I’d start and stop reading. Which is really weird because it wasn’t very far into the book before the story takes a turn that really sparked my interest and got my full attention. At that point, there is this one particular thing that happens that actually had me leaping from my seat in shock, and I was stuck.

I can’t really talk too much about the characters in The Testing because I have some really strong feelings about a lot of those characters. This is one of those books that had me changing my original feelings for some of the characters by the stuff that transpires by the end of the story. So, by talking about the characters, I’d be revealing major spoilers, and you know how much I hate to do that! In fact, my feelings for some of the characters were so strong that I’ve gotten into a few heated battles with some blogger friends, particularly Jaime from Two Chicks on Books.

This is a book I would totally recommend! And if you are struggling with the beginning, don’t let that hold you back because the story’s phenomenal!

What made the experience of listening to The Testing the most enjoyable?

This was a very engaging story and I can't wait to read the rest in the series. There were some similarities between this and the Hunger Games, but the story stands on its own. Some of the twists I didn't see coming and the characters were interesting. The narrator was good and didn't detract from the story.

Have you listened to any of Elizabeth Morton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't listened to her before. She is one of the better narrators. My only complaint is that she pronounces the "o" in opossum. Most people just day "possum". It was a little jarring every time she did it.

A very engaging story. Well written and well read. It is reminiscent of the Hunger Games series and the Divergent series in theme and tone but stands very well on its own. The characters are well developed. I highly recommend this book. I will definitely purchase the next in the series.

Only half-way through listening to this book and I'm not sure I will finish. The narration is awful. The narrator is so slow and deliberate that it sounds like she's at "read to me" day at Kindergarten. Please tell me it gets better.

I am glad I downloaded The Testing. Many people compare it to Hunger Games and I'd have to say it's a fair comparison. But it's not a copycat. The Testing has its own unique storyline, one that was intriguing and held my interest. Also, there was a slightly more plausible reasoning behind The Testing's madness. While the Hunger Games were a means of cruelty and punishment toward the districts (not to mention the sick entertainment value for capitol residence), The Testing's reasonings were more of a weeding out the weak in search of the best. It was still cruel and sick, but it was never a circus show like the Hunger Games.

The story was well written and nicely formulated. I knocked off one star for performance, because although Joelle Charbonneau's narration was okay, she read very slowly, enunciating every word as if a fifth grader was reading it. She must have improved as the story went on, because I didn't notice it by the second half of the book.

I would have cast someone with a more mature voice to narrate this story. Ms. Norton's voice is much more suited for children's stories than adult - or even young adult - stories. When she talked about Thomas being sexy it just sounds unbelievable with her childish voice. It was really hard for me to focus and enjoy the book.

Absolutely! It was a different take on the usual storyline and kept you entertained. As others have reviewed...it had to take of DIVERGENT and the elements of THE HUNGER GAMES.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Cia! An average girl becoming more than what she thought she could was enjoyable to listen you.

Have you listened to any of Elizabeth Morton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was the first of her performances I've listened to and in all honesty...there was no way I could give it a full 5 stars because I had a hard time listening to all the male characters. They sounded like juvenile boys with speech impediments opposed to intelligent strong brave guys...could've done waaaaay better Elizabeth

Only a kids book, while the narration did not ruin the book for me (I got used to her as the book went along), I really do think her voice and intonations will be better suited for children books.

Any additional comments?

I like this type of post apocalyptic stories, the world has been destroyed and now it is completely different and unfamiliar with new surroundings to explore and new rules to follow, however people are people and the way they live and thrive in this new world is always exiting.

The testing is a pretty good story (better than I expected) there is a logical and interesting back story explaining the destruction, and the journey of the characters is engaging.

I feel all most the characters are a little flat and could have used some more volume to bring them to life, somehow actual testing as well as the need to come ahead does not fully explain the way they behave or the things they do.

But as a whole I enjoyed the book and I'm looking forwards to listening to the next book in the series.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Testing to be better than the print version?

No. The female reader had an obnoxious male voice, and she made the story seem more juvenile.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The protagonist, Cia, had grit. But she was also vulnerable at times. I feel that she was able to hold on to who she was, despite the challenging circumstances. She was an interesting character to read about. I loved her family too.

Would you be willing to try another one of Elizabeth Morton’s performances?

No. I will steer clear of her in the future, choosing instead to read a book rather than listen to her.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely. Despite the bad reader, the story was thrilling. A great book for someone who enjoyed Hunger Games and Divergent.